Eighths to john h



(No Model.)

J. A. M0DERMOTT. SIATION INDICATOR.

PatentedJulyl'Z, 1883.

N. PHEIRS. Phmmhn m m UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFicE.

. JOSEPH A. MODERMOTT, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- EIGHTHS TO JOHN H. OASWELL, OF SAME PLACE.

. indicator.

STATION-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,388, dated July 17,1883.

Application filed December 14, 18%2. (No model.)

To 00% whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OSEPH A. MODER- Mor'r, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have inthe purpose of indicating the streets and stations at which the car is going to stop.

The invention consists in a peculiar and novel construction for successively exhibiting at an opening in the box or case carried by the car a series of cards indicating the names of the respective stations on the line, such mechanism being fully hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying'drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved station- Fig. 2 is a similar view of a detached portion thereof.

The casing B (which comprises the two rectangular boxes, 2 2, arranged on opposite sides of and opening into the center cylindrical portion 3) is secured to the end of the car or other vehicle by brackets or other obvious. means, as represented in Fig. 1. The rectangular boxes 2 2 are designed to hold the tablets e, and should be of such size as to prevent the tablets from sliding about when piled up therein. The cylindrical portion 3 is designed to contain the spool A, Fig. 2, and should be of such size as to allow the iimer surface of the cylinder to be in loose contact with the heads of the spool as it revolves therein. The spool A is constructed with notches a, (see Fig. 2,) adapted to receive the tablets e, as shown. It is arranged in the center orcylindrical por tion, 3, of the casing B in such manner as to permit of being revolved therein directly under'the tablets piled in the box 2 above.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that a proper turn of the spool A brings it into position to receive a tablet from the bottom of j the pile of tablets in the box 2. A further turn of the spool exhibits this tablet at the opening h, while a still further turn of the spool 'allows the tablet to drop into the box 2 at the bottom of thecase. In this manner the spool is continually receiving and discharging tablets while it revolves. The turning of the 'spool may be effected by hand, if desired,

though I have shown in the drawings a mechanism whereby the spool is revolved automatically. Saidinechanism is described as follows:

On the end of the spool shaft is a fixed ratchet-wheel, D, which engages one end of the pawl f. Said pawl f is centrally pivoted to the casing B, and connects at its rear end with the vertical sliding rod E. It is held in connection with the ratchet-wheel by means of the spring d. The rodE carries on its bottom end a shoe, F, and is forced upward by the inclined plane G, which is located at the side of the track in line to engage with the rod as. the car passes. The rod operates to turn the spool A as it moves upward in passing the plane G, and immediately gravitates downward on leaving the plane, so as to en gage another tooth on the ratchet, to give it a still further turn on meeting the next plane. It is prevented from getting cramped orbroken by means of the arm H, arranged as shown in 'Fig. 1.

I assume, for the purpose of explaining the operation of my invention, that the car is at the point of starting on its journey. The operator, having secured the required number of tablets, arranges them in the proper order and places them in the top box, 2. The car, having passed out ofthestation, comes in contact with one of the planes G, thereby forcing upward the rod E and turning the spool A sufficiently to expose a tablet at the opening h, on which tablet is printed the name of the station at which the car will next stop. The position of the spool A at this moment is such as to allow it to receive another tablet from the pile in the box 2, which is brought into view as the car meets with the next plane G,

stations which the car passes without stopping. This I accomplish by duplicate tablets as follows: Suppose the train or car stops at station No. 2 and then again at No. 6. The tablet at the bottom of the pile should bear the name of station 2, and will belexposed at the opening h as the ear leaves the station nu1n bored 1. The next four tablets should all bear the name of station No. 6, which will be successively exposed at the several intermediate stations, so that no mistake can be made as to where the car will next stop. The necessity of having separate tablets will now be evident.

XVhat I claim, and desire by Letters Patent to secure, is-

1. In a station-indicator, the combination of the box or case, the drum journaled in the middle of such case, so as to leave space above and below it, and having peripheral recesses and a series of cards arranged in order in the space above the drum, a ratchet and pawl,

and a lever connected thereto, the parts being so arranged and constructed that upward movement of the lever causes one of the series of 2 cards to be fed to the drum above the displayopening, another to be exhibited at such opening, and a third to be deposited in the space at the bottom of the box.

2. The combination, with the described in- 0 dicating apparatus, and with the pawl and ratchet, of the lever passing below the bottom of the car and having a buffer at its lower end,

a pivoted brace connected thereto, and a suitable stop on the track, all substantially as and 3 5 for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of wit nesses.

JOSEPH A. MUDERMOTT.

\Vitnesses:

J 011 H. CASWELL, C. B. TUTTLE. 

